Global Reuse Summit - March 12th (In Person Or Virtual)

Hi Network,

Did you hear about the upcoming Global Reuse Summit on March 12th? They have in-person options and a livestreaming “pay what you can” option as well.

Get Your Ticket from https://www.refill.org.uk/global-reuse-summit-programme/

Programme of the Day

10:00 – 10:15 Welcome

The Global Reuse Summit 2025 kicks off with a warm welcome from City to Sea founder, Natalie Fée, setting the stage for a day of learning, insight, and collaboration. Reuse is no longer just an ambition, it’s a necessity. The impact of single-use waste is growing, and here we are, businesses, policymakers, and communities coming together to build a future where reuse is the norm. 

Natalie will introduce the day’s themes, share how you can engage online, and thank the organisations and individuals making this event possible.  

Get ready for a day of inspiration, bold ideas, and practical steps towards scaling reuse. 

10:15 – 10:45 Systems Change Inspiration & Provocation 

Jane Martin in conversation with Dr Margaret Heffernan 

A thought-provoking conversation about how organisations can navigate change and uncertainty. The shift to reuse requires collaboration and a complete rewiring of the dominant system. What can we learn from past transformations, and how do we apply these lessons to today’s reuse revolution? 

Expect big ideas, radical thinking, and practical insights on how businesses, policymakers, and communities can work together to create a future where reuse is the norm. 

10:45 – 11:15 Exclusive Research Briefing: Unlocking Reuse at Scale 

Scaling reuse is not just about changing packaging; it’s about redesigning entire systems.Catherine Conway, founder of GoUnpackaged, reveals new key insights from a UK-wide reuse infrastructure project, backed by industry leaders and DEFRA. 

Which products are best suited for reuse? What will it take to make reuse commercially viable and scalable? This session dives into the biggest challenges and opportunities ahead, with insights from those driving change in retail, waste management, and policy. 

11:30 – 12:00 Global Leaders of the Reuse Revolution

Reuse is taking off across the globe—but what does it actually look like in different regions? In this exclusive pre-recorded session, reuse pioneers share their experiences, from grassroots community projects to large-scale systems backed by policy. 

What’s working? What’s not? And what can we learn from their successes (and struggles) to accelerate reuse everywhere? Expect inspiring stories, big ideas, and fresh perspectives from those making reuse happen on the ground. 

12:20 – 12:50 Reuse: The Bottom Line – Making Reuse Add Up 

For businesses built on single-use, reuse has to make financial sense. So why have so many pilots struggled to scale? This session takes a hard look at the numbers – investment, taxation, and the commercial realities shaping reuse. 

Can refill and reuse ever be as profitable as single-use? What financial incentives could shift the balance? And how do we unlock the investment needed to make reuse mainstream? Expect sharp insights and real-world strategies from those tackling the economic puzzle of reuse. 

13:10 – 13:40 The Politics of Reuse 

Policy is shifting towards circular solutions, but is it moving fast enough? With global plastics treaty negotiations underway, businesses need clear, consistent regulations to invest in reuse at scale. 

How can legislation accelerate the transition? What’s working, what’s missing, and what can we learn from countries leading the way? This session unpacks the role of policy in shaping a thriving reuse economy, and what still needs to change to make it happen. 

14:20 – 14:50 Material World: What’s Fit for Reuse? 

Plastic, glass, aluminium, biomaterials—when it comes to reuse, which materials really stack up? From durability and cost to safety and environmental impact, this panel unpacks the science behind sustainable packaging. 

What works best for reuse systems? Which materials will shape the future of circular packaging? And how do we balance performance with sustainability? Sharp insights, fresh perspectives, and a no-nonsense look at the materials driving the reuse revolution. 

15:10 – 15:40 Making Reuse Second Nature: Changing Behaviour at Scale 

City to Sea is on a mission to make reuse second nature. Reuse needs to become the default, but behaviour change is complex. This session explores how to shift mindsets, build new habits, and meet growing consumer demand for reuse. What strategies have worked? How can marketing and behavioural science drive uptake? 

If we applied the same resources to reuse that we do to traditional branding and advertising, what could the impact be? Let’s reimagine consumer engagement and make reuse mainstream. 

16:40 – 17:00 Closing Thoughts 

Final reflections on the day’s discussions, key takeaways, and the next steps in accelerating the shift to reuse.